The Arizona sentinel., 1887-10-08
RALPH.
How fIe Proved Himself to be Charm
 ing Man of the House,

ing Man of the House.
 "I will take Ralph, Jemimaf'
 'Take Ralph, Ichabod! can't think of such thing. I can't spare my boy. There are so few of us now, brother!'
 "But what, under the canopy, are you going to do with great growing boy, eating you out of house and home, at the age when he needs man to look after him, too? Itell you, Jemima, it's nonsense. Bundle up the boys clothes and let him jump into the cart and go with me. His aunt Polly'n see that he has plenty to do, and he can stop in now and then to see you on market days, if you like. We'll do well by the boy, Jemima. Don't turn away fair offer. Come, Ralph, you know which side your bread is buttered on. You want to go home with me, don't youP"
 It hardly seemed possible that this coarse-looking, red-faced man, a regu- lar Uncle Pumblechook of man, could be own brother to the slender, refined woman in widows mourning against
 
 thrown fondly around her shoulder. The thought of living with Uncle Icha- bod and Aunt Polly was hateful, and Ralph shuddered at the bare idea But he was a we'll trained boy, and politely answered: 'I can not leave mamma, uncle. Papa told me that l was to be the man of the house" "
 Papa had died month ago.
 'Humph! Pretty man of the house you'll be! Need man over yow sayr' And storming and clustering, Uncle Ichabod departed, slamming the door behind him, and driving old Whiteface clatterty-bang down the road at great pace.
 "I hope I've done wisely, Ralph, said Mrs. Afford, smoothing back her boys fair hair. I've have very little money, and your uncle is rich. "
 'I won't eat any more than I can help, mamma, and I'd stop growing so fast if possibly could.
 Bless the dear child! Eat all you want, laddie, and don't worry about growing. The sooner you grow to be a tall m n, as papa was, the sooner you will be able to take good care of mamma and your sisters"
 If there was very little money in the Affords home, there was something much better-a great deal of love. Mrs. Afford knew how to be merry over bread and milk, and not to cloud her children's pleasure, she kept a cheerful face ever when she felt sad and lonely. Ralph went to school every day, and tried not to worry his mother by complaints; but it was hard for a boy of eleven to wear trousers which were too short in the legs, and Jackets which persisted in getting tight over the chest, with sleeves which crept halfway to the elbow.
 One day Miss Meredith, his teacher in the day-school where he attended, asked him to remain few moments. She knew how bravely and patiently the little man of the house was bearing his heavy burden, and so she wished to encourage him all she could, and keep his spirits up.
 Ralph, dear" she said.
 'Yes, Miss Meredith"
 "You are wonderfully good reader for your age. Haven't you been used to reading aloud?"
 'Yes, Miss Meredith" answered Ralph; q used to read to papa every day, the paper and stories and poetry and the Bible"
 .'I thought so. Now I have pro- posal to make. There is blind lady in the house where I board; she re- ouires somebody to amuse her; and she will pay three dollars week to per son who can read to her two hours every day. have been thinking that I could excuse you every morning at quarter before twelve, and let you run home, eat your luncheon, and then you might go to Mrs. Merrifield for an hour. Then if you could give her an- other hour from four to five in the afternoon, she would be satisfied" <"
 Ralph almost jumped for joy at the prospect of earning three dollars a week. Why, how glad he would be to help mamma so much as that! That soould be like the man of the house.
 Miss Meredith proceeded: ''Mrs. Merri6eId is an abrupt old lady, and